Stories of daring, stories of technological feats, stories of prevailing against the odds ... these are the stories we tell at the National Air and Space Museum. Dive in to the stories below to discover, learn, and be inspired. 

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Lt. Gen. Jimmy Doolittle’s Medal of Honor ribbon on his wartime uniform.

April 18, 2018

A Curator on Configuring WWII Military Medals

Story

Over the years I’ve spent curating the National Air and Space Museum’s uniform and flight clothing collection, I have received many inquiries. One of the most frequently ask questions concerns the placement of Lt. Gen. Jimmy Doolittle's Medal of Honor ribbon on his wartime uniform.

Astronaut Ellen Ochoa, STS-96 mission specialist, in the SpaceHab module aboard the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Discovery, 1999.

April 15, 2018

Making History Aboard Discovery 

Story

On April 17, 1993, astronaut Ellen Ochoa, and the crew of the STS-56 Discovery, returned to Earth after a nine-day mission. Ochoa made history as the first Hispanic woman in space.

Royal Air Force Flt. Lt. Sarah Cole with her coalition peers in Afghanistan.

April 13, 2018

Women Breaking Barriers in the Royal Air Force

Story

Two women of the Royal Air Force share their experiences in the military. 

Purple and pink logo of AirSpace

April 12, 2018

AirSpace Ep.5:
2001: An AirSpace Odyssey

Story | AirSpace Podcast

It’s the 50th anniversary of one of the slowest, strangest, and yet, most referenced science fiction films of all time – 2001: A Space Odyssey.  It may be your FAVORITE movie, or, quite possibly, you’ve never actually seen it in its 142-minute entirety. Emily, Matt, and Nick break it down for you in the latest episode of AirSpace.

A white vehicle is parked in front of a movie poster for the film "2001: A Space Odyssey" plastered on multicolored wall.

April 10, 2018

2001: A Space Odyssey, HAL, and the Future of AI 

Story

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the premiere of the film 2001: A Space Odyssey. Among the things that makes this film stand out for sci-fi fans is "HAL," the computer that runs the ship.

Purple and pink logo of AirSpace

April 09, 2018

AirSpace Ep. 4:
Remembering Stephen Hawking

Story | AirSpace Podcast

Professor Stephen Hawking died on March 14 at the age of 76. Hawking's contributions to science centered on his search for a unified theory of the universe, but his impact spanned far beyond the scientific community. 

Astronauts Ron Evans, Eugene Cernan, and Harrison “Jack” Schmitt of Apollo 17 inspect food stowage with Rapp’s guidance

April 09, 2018

The Woman Who Got Real Food to Space

Story

The woman who changed space food from “cubes and tubes” into the Apollo program’s astronaut-ready meals.

Portrait

April 06, 2018

Welcoming Our New Director, Dr. Ellen Stofan

Story

As the National Air and Space Museum’s interim director, I am pleased to introduce to all of you Dr. Ellen Stofan, the Museum’s new director.

The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum’s Avro Lancaster, one of only two airworthy Lancasters in the world.

April 06, 2018

The British (Aircraft) Are Coming

Story

To celebrate the RAF’s 100th anniversary, get to know a bit about these British aircraft, their owners, and what drew their pilots to flight.

Man waves out the window of a DC-3

April 05, 2018

"Nice Guys" Fly Charter

Story | From the Archives

While the baseball season technically started last week, it doesn’t return to the nation’s capital until Thursday, April 5—the home opener for the Washington Nationals.  Most likely, the team will be returning to Washington, DC, from Atlanta on a chartered flight.